Have oud will travel

>> Sam Shalabi in a hurry

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

"I think it's funny, being picked as a Noisemaker. It's pretty aptly named, as a lot of what I do making noise," laughs local musician Sam Shalabi.

With either of his instruments of choice--the middle eastern oud or his trusted electric guitar--Shalabi's out to disrupt your listening process. Be it the free playing of his improvisational band Detention or the more conventional song stylings of Molasses, Shalabi has a signature sound that is starting to get a lot of attention. Easily making the transition from noise to trancy guitar lines to Middle Eastern scales, he proves that any particular style is all at hand's reach.

Permanent St-Laurent fixture Shalabi can often be seen hovering behind a cash register at a popular Plateau bookstore where he works, or scurrying around town at a "get out of Dodge" speed with guitar or oud in tow in between one of his many rehearsals.

Instead of wearing many hats, Shalabi bought the whole haberdashery, playing in, at last count, seven bands: Detention, Shalabi Effect, Par Ted Teeth, Molasses, Nutsack, Intermezzo Jagtime and a trio with David Kristian and Alexandre St. Onge.

The biggest noise Shalabi will be making this year is his split CD he is putting out with Godspeed You Black Emperor on Alien8 Recordings. Despite not even being released yet, preorders have already proved it to be the biggest title on the Alien8 roster. "I'm really excited about that record because I really have a lot of respect for (Alien8 co-owner) Gary Worsley, Godspeed You Black Emperor and Alien8. It's great to put out a record with Godspeed because we get a lot of listeners, obviously, but I'm also really proud of the piece we did."

The self-proclaimed coffee addict mentions that his performance the previous night with Detention had been sub par due to fatigue, and he feels like his overextension may finally be catching up with him.

"It's really hard for me to say no to musical projects that come up, but I promised myself that in January and February I've got to start to take it easy, because it really is running me down. After awhile I don't want to knock down musical barriers. I just want to get a good night's sleep."